International Women’s Day Breakfast [SOLD OUT]

Centennial Homestead – Sydney

Date: 08 Mar 2018

Celebrating the achievements of women globally

On 8th March 2018 we will be joining people around the world to celebrate International Women’s Day. It’s already been a strong start to the year for women with Oprah’s powerful speech at the Golden Globes in January and the launch of the new “Time’s Up” movement by 300 Hollywood women.

At our International Women’s Day breakfast you’ll meet and hear from our own inspiration women from Hands, including Mae Thiew (Home Hug founder and Asian Person of the Year 2011, Khru Prateep (recipient of The World’s Children’s Prize 2004), and Kay Spencer (founding Hands board member).

We hope that you’ll join us in celebrating and learning from some of the amazing women who have made such a positive impact on the children in Thailand.

Our Guest Panel

Mae Thiew

Setting aside her daily battle with terminal cancer Mae Thiew rises each day to care for up to 100 children who live at Home Hug which is a home for children who have HIV or who have lost their parents to HIV. Home Hug was founded by Mae Thiew 29 years ago. Before Hands became involved she had buried more children than is imaginable, but somehow continued to offer a place of hope for the children who have no other option.

Voted as the Asian Person of the Year in 2011, Mae Thiew offers a rare insight into facing daily discrimination and rising above challenges and providing love to those society rejects. She stands as an advocate for those without a voice and its her unwavering commitment that is so inspiring. You can’t spend time with Mae Thiew and the children she cares for and not be changed as a person. Spending time with Mae Thiew you develop a deeper appreciation of what strength, courage, acceptance and tolerance really mean.

Khru Prateep

A lady with an endless amount of energy, Khru Prateep, is a former senator of the Thai government and has been an advocate for women and children in the poorest communities of Thailand for the past 37 years. In 1980, she became the first Asian citizen to receive the John D.Rockefeller Youth Award for Outstanding Contribution to Mankind. With the prize money she established the Foundation for Slum Child Care where she continues today to provide opportunities to thousands of people within the slums of Bangkok. In 2004 she went on to receive The World’s Children’s Prize for her 40-year-long struggle for the rights of Thailand’s most vulnerable children.

Amongst her many responsibilities include working for the United Nations as a subject matter expert, she is also leading the community response to one of Bangkok’s largest relocation projects as the Government attempts to shut down the slums. A hero of the slums of Klong Toey if ever there was one, rightfully earning her nickname “Slum Angel”. Her ability to achieve remarkable results through her unique influencing skills is something all leaders should embrace.

Kay Spencer

Kay is the executive chairman of the buying group NARTA, the National Association of Retail Traders of Australia. An accomplished leader, Kay joined NARTA in 1998 after rising through the ranks at Sharp Corporation of Australia where became the first female director in a Japanese company anywhere in the world. Kay also held the position of Sharp’s general manager of sales and marketing.

Under Kay’s leadership at NARTA, the organisation’s annual turnover has grown from $350 million to more than $3.4 billion. Today NARTA is the largest buying group of independent retailers in Australia and New Zealand.

She joined the Hands team in 2007 and as an accomplished leader, Kay brings to Hands her extensive knowledge of the business sector, as well as compassion and care for the children.

Kay also sits on the board of directors for two charities, Hands Across the Water and The Rising Foundation.

ERIN T: It’s absolutely changed my whole world since that first ride. Having something in my life that was bigger than work or the things that you do here and being able to dedicate time to something that fills your soul full of absolute love – it’s incredible and it’s just allowed me to grow. I’ve changed who I am.

I remember getting off the bike on the last day, and I was saddle sore, there was one little child and says “Come and grab my finger” and just led me into the thing and grabbed me a bottle of water and she just didn’t let go of my finger. And for me it was just gold. It’s just one of those moments that I’ll cherish forever.